During a recent inspection tour of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, President Xi Jinping stressed that self-reliance in science and technology is the foundation for national prosperity and security.

Actually, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core has led science and technology workers across the country to make historic achievements in China's scientific and technological cause, laying a more solid scientific and technological foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Experience shows that the Chinese nation has the foundation, confidence and ability to seize the opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation to make greater progress.

In recent years, China's comprehensive innovation capacity has significantly improved, with the global ranking of its national innovation index rising from 34th in 2012 to 12th in 2021. A series of major scientific and technological endeavors such as manned spaceflight, manned deep-sea submersible vehicle, space exploration, interplanetary exploration and the Beidou Navigation System have become a reality, and technologies in ultrahigh-voltage power transmission, supercomputing, high-speed railways and hybrid rice have come to the forefront.

The country's scientific and technological system has undergone steady reform, with research institutions and personnel enjoying greater autonomy, and the innovation vitality of universities and research institutes being further enhanced. The overall level of China's science and technology has risen significantly, with its national scientific and technological strength moving from quantitative accumulation and individual breakthroughs to qualitative leap and systematic improvement.

The new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing rapidly, and economic and social development is accelerating integration with science and technology.

China's economic environment is undergoing changes, and the old production model has become unsustainable. Science and technology have never had such a profound impact on China's future and people's well-being as they do today. Only by ensuring that some core technologies are self-developed, can a country keep the initiative in innovation and development firmly in its own hands.

Therefore, China must bear in mind the new stage of development, apply the new development philosophy, build a new development landscape and promote high-quality development. It must vigorously enhance its capacity for independent innovation and realize innovation-driven growth to lay a more secure and reliable foundation for building a modern socialist country in an all-round way.